Jordan Blaise, who delighted Cardiff City fans with Ayatollah antics on his debut, will start the 2015-16 season in the Bluebirds’ under-21 development team.

The former Bordeaux centre-back, aged 19, is in City’s squad for their opening Professional Development League match against Coventry City away on Monday (Ricoh Arena, 2pm).

Blaise became an instant hit with more than 400 City fans during a pre-season match at Forest Green when he went on with five minutes left and was announced as trialist number one.

The travelling faithful immediately struck up with 'Do the Ayatollah, trialist' and he looked mystified.

Craig Noone helped him before the fans came back with: "Can he do it on his own?"

Blaise was given a big cheer when he obliged.

Video: Jordan Blaise struggles with the Ayatollah

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City manager Russell Slade described the Frenchman’s interaction with supporters as ‘hilarious’ and he later signed a contract for the season ahead.

Kevin Nicholson is in charge of Cardiff’s development team, while he joins forces with former Birmingham and Derby defender Michael Johnson at Monday’s match.

Former Jamaican international Johnson, 42, has been appointed City’s assistant under-21 coach and will work closely with Nicholson.

Midfield players Theo Wharton and Tommy O’Sullivan are among the professionals who could be in the City development squad along with striker Rhys Healey and winger Kadeem Harris.

Nicholson and Johnson will include first year professionals Ashley Baker, Tom Burridge, Abdi Noor, Robbie Patten, Eli Phipps, Dylan Rees and Jamie Veale in their squad, but David Tutonda and Adedeji Oshilaja are out on loan at York City and Gillingham respectively.

Kadeem Harris in action

Midfield player Patten is one of the players who first team manager Slade’s eye in pre-season and he was involved in squads for several first team friendlies.

Cardiff follow Monday’s trip to Coventry by playing Sheffield Wednesday at home on Monday, August 17 (7pm).

The young Bluebirds open their new season at Coventry in confident mood after their 5-1 win against the Nike Academy at the Football Association’s St George’s headquarters, Staffordshire.

Bluebirds goalkeeper Luke O’Reilly, an 18-year-old former Nike Academy player, was outstanding, while Harris (3), Healey and full-back Jazzi Barnum-Bobb were the other scorers.